Lubricating device



Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,659

A. l.. BRIDGHAM LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1925 2 sheets-sheet l IPNEPITDR:

EL* @W32 ivag: l

Aug. 28, 1928.

A. L. BRIDGHAM LUBRICATING DEVICE 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1925 -Mmm Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR L. BB-IDGHAM, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LUBRICATING DEVICE.

Application filed August 29, 1925.

The invention relates to a lubricating device and essentially lo a device. or arrangement for lubricating the joints between parts subjected to high pressure steam.

Among the essential objects of the invention are to provide a steady feed ot' oil; to apply the oil in such a manner that it will not be injured by the steam; to apply the oil eifectively, and to use the steam as a. means for atomizing the oil and applying it into the joints or places where lubrication is required.

r1`he invention is shown in the drawings applied to the lubrication of the piston valve and piston ofy a locomotive to which it is especially applicable and in which only such parts are shown as are necessary to a proper understanding of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in vertical cross scction and partly in side elevation ol: the various parts and applied lubricating device.

Fig. 2 shows in enlarged detail a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a detail of construction to which special reference will later be made.

Referring to the drawings:

1 represents the cylinder, 2 the piston and 3 the piston rod.

4 is the casing or chest containing the piston valve 5 which controls the admission of steam to the opposite ends ot the cylinder 1. 6 and 7 represent the opposite ends or heads of the piston valve which slide upon annular bearings 8 and 9, respectively, contained within the casing 4. Steam is admitted to the interior of the casing f1 by way of an inlet 1() communicating with a chalutier 11 intermediate the opposite ends or heads ofthe piston valve. Formed within each of the annular bearings 8 and 9 are openings 12 connecting, respectively with annular passages 13 and 1/1 formed within the casing outside the annulaibearings 8 and 9. The annular passages 13 and 14 connect, respectively, with passages, 1.5 and 16 leading, respectively, to the opposite ends o't the cylinder. At the opposite. ends ot' the valve casing at beyond the. heads of the piston valve are exhaust chambers 17 and 1S into one or the other .ot which steam is adapted to exhaust from the cylinder Y1 andA thence escape in the usual manner.

As the piston valve is reciprocatcd steam is allowed to pass through the openings 12 in one or the other of the bearings 8 or 9 and thence to the adjacent end of the cylinder for operating the piston 2. As steam thus ad- Seral No. 53,415.

mitted to one end of the cylinder it is allowed to exhaust from its opposite end beyond the piston, escaping by way ot' the open ings 12 in the adjacent bearing and thence into the adjacent exhaust chamber at the end of the casing 4.

The parts thus far mentioned are of common type and function in the usual manner. They are referred to in order to obtain a proper understanding of the invention which pertains essentially to a` means for lubricating the joints between the heads or ends 6 and 1( of the piston valve and the bearings 8 and 9 on which these heads slide; also, to means for lubricating the joint between the cylinder 1 and piston 2, and to which means of lubrication attention is now directed.

20 is a valve casing arranged above the steam chest 11 and secured to the top side thereof by a supporting bracket 21. 22 represents the body of the casing and 23 the chamber thcreot. Connecting with the body 22 oit the casing is an inlet portion 24 through which extends an inlet passage 25 leading direct to the chamber 23 or' the casing. Connecting also with the body of the casing and extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions are outlet portions 26 and 261 respectively, and from these outlet portions there depend auxiliary outlet portions 27, 271, respectively. The outlet portions 26 and '261 of the casing form within them passages 28, 281, respectively. These passages lie exterior the chamber 23 of the casing and connect therewith respectively by means of ports 29, 291. 'ilhese ports are controlled by inufardly closing valves 30, 301 which close against valve seats 31, 311 at the outlets ot' the respective ports controlled by the valve. The valves 30 and 301 are provided respectively with stems 32 and 321 which extend inwardly from the valves through the respective ports and each of the stems is provided with wings 33 which engage theadjacent surrounding wall of the port by which the stems ot' the valves may slide thereon and the valves assume an open or closed position with relation to their respective valve seats and the parts controlled by the valves. The twovalves 30 and 301 are not connected valves. The relation of their inwardly extending stems is such however that the stems abut or meetwithin the chainber 23 ot' the valve casing'and thereby prevent both valves being sea-ted1 at the same time., but the relation is such that both valves may be open at the same time.

Connecting with the respective passages QS and Q81 are outlet passages 34, 2341 which extend respectively through the depending branch connections 27, 271. Fitting within the ends of the respective outlet portions 2G, 261 beyond the respective passages 2S, 281 therein are hollow plugs 351. Extending through these plugs are. constricted passages 3G, 891 which extend respectively from the respective passages QS, 2r 1.. Secured to the respective 'alves 30 and 301 are stems 37, 371. These stems pass through the respective passages 28, 2 1 and the ends 3S, 381 of the respective stems are made conical to have valvular engagement with valve seats 397 391 formed at the entrance to the respective constricted passages 3G and 361. The lengths ot these stems are such that when the valve 8O is closed the valvular end 38 of its stem 37 will occupy an open position with relation to' the scat 39 and when the valve 30 is open the valvular end 38 ot its stem 37 will occupy a closed position with relation to the seat 39. ln similar manner when the valve 301 is closed the valvular end 381 ot its'stcm 371 will occupy an open position with relation to the seat 391 and when this valve is closed the valvular end 381 of its stem 371 will occupy an open position with relation to the seat 391.

10 is a pipe leading from a, lubricator not shown. This pipe provided with a fitting 41 having a. eo'nstricted opening 411 in it, connects with the inlet portion 24 ot the valve easing 20 and is secured toit by a couplingll. y

Connected by couplings 43 with the outlet portions 27, 271 oi the valve casing 2O are pipes del, 441. Both oit these pipes curve downwardly over the side of the casing l forming bends or bows Ll within them, both pipes thence extending upwardly and outwardly over the lasing and are provided with elbow extensions i6, L61 secured by couplings 1li'. The elbows 46, fl-G1 connect respectively with openings l-S, 181 through the top wall of the steam chest and communicate with ports 49, 491 in the respective annular hearings 8 and 9. rThese ports lie' respectivelr' adjacent to the inner edges to the ends G and T oi the valve 5 when this valve is occupying a. central or normal position within the chest so that one or the other ot the ports will he opened bya slight movement of the valve in one direction orthe other and when open have direct access to the chamber ll ol thecasing l into which steam is admitted through Ythe. opening as previously explained. The ends ot' the elbows 4:6 and L91 which connect with the steam chest and open-k ings 48, 4S1 therein are preferably provided with small constricted openings therethrough in size substantially comparing with the size of the ports 49, 491.

'Connected by pipe couplings 50 wit-litho hollow plugs 35, 351 inthe ends of the outlet portions 26, 251 of the casing l are pipes 51, 511. These pipes extend outwardly in reverse directions over the top ot the casing 4, and thence turn downwardly to connect with the respective openings 13 and 14 in the wall of the casing by means of fittings 52 and 5.121 secured to the ends of the respective pipes by couplings 53. The fittings 521 which are connected to the top wall of the, casing and open. into the respective openings 13 are preferably provided with constrictcd openings therethrough.

The respective heads G and ot the piston valve 5 each comprises an end supporting bearing 5st (see Fig. surrounding which are the usual bull ring 55 and packing rings 56 and 57, ot' which 5G are the outer exhaust packing rings and 57 the inner pressure packing rings. When each valve head is in place engaging its bearing owing to the slight projection of the packing rings beyond the outer face of the bull ring an annular chamber 58 will he formed hetwccn the packing rings and between the bull ring. The annular chamber 58 thus provided, extending as it docs entirely around the head of the valve, makes an effective depository for oil applied to the joint between the head 0l the valve and its adjacent bearing for luhricab ing the joint and all adjacent working parts.

The operation is as follows:

It will be assumed that oil is enterinfv from the lubricator through the pipe Ll() under the usual lubricator pressure. N ow assuming that the valve 5 has moved during its reciprocation to the right in the direction of the, arrow thereon, in such case the head 7 of the valve will have moved over to a point where the port 1191 is lett exposed and high pressure steam from the chamber 1l will accordingly enter this port and pass upwardly through the pipe 441 hack through the passages 3111 and 281 to the valve 301 closing this valve and opening the valve 30, for simultaneous with the opening of the port @L91 the head of the valve will have moved over so tar as to lap by the port 49 closing this port from thc steam cha'mbcr 1l and accordingly, pressure from this chamber being eut oli', the valve 3() may be opened as the valve 301 is closed. 'lhe valve Il() now being opened oil will pass from the luhricator out ot the chan'ibcr Q3 ol the valve easing, through the port .19 and through the passages 2S and S-l into the pipe ll. the flow ot oil continuing until the reverse move ment of the piston valve has moved it to tbe left in a direction reverse to the arrow thereon until the port 49 is opened and the port 491 closed. The instant the portfl9 is opened high pressure steam from the chamber 11 will pass out through the port 49, hack through the pipe 44- and blow the oil which has :iccumulated therein out through this Jipe, back through the passages 2st and 28, closing the valve 39 and opening the valve $38 when the lili lill

lit)

oil will be blown out through the pipe 5l into the annular opening 13 and thence through the openings 12 in the annular bearing 8 directly into the joint between the head G of the valve and the wall ot the bearing, the oil, in other Words, then entering the annular chamber 58 in the joint between the head 6 of the valve and its bearing thereby lubricating Vsaid head and bearing. The oil will also be directed to pass through the annular passage 13 downwardly into the passage l5 into the cylinder 1 for lubricating the piston, all surplus oil remaining in the passage 13 being blown into the cylinder when the head 6 of Vthe Vyalve has moved so yfar to the left as to enable the steam from the chamber 11 to enter the passage 13 and be directed into the cylinder for operating the piston.

During the time when the oil is being blown onto the head 6 of the valve 5 the valve 30 then being closed, the closure of this valve will have opened the valve 301 and closed the valve 391 when oil from the lubricator will pass outwardly through the port 291 and through the passages 281 and 341 into the pipe 441. Upon the return of the piston valve 5, the port 491 being then opened and the port t9 closed, the pressure will operate to blow the oil that has accumulated in the pipe 441 back through this pipe through the passages 341, Q81, closing the valve 30 and opening the valve 39 when the oil will be blown out through the pipe 511 into the annular opening 14 and thence through the openings 1Q in the annular bearing ring 9 for lubricating the head 7 of the valve and its adjacent bear- 4 ing precisel in the same manner as the head 6 ot the va ve and its adjacent bearmg was lubricated, the lubrication also ot the adjacent end of the cylinder and piston being etici-ted by the entry of oilithrough the passage 1G. In other words, the operation is continued in such manner that as one part or section ot the mechanism is lubricated by the injection into such mechanism otl a pockcted charge ot' oil by high pressure steam, another charge ot oil is being pocketed to be injected by t ie high pressure steam into another part or Section of the mechanism for lubricating it, the operation being repeated.

W'hen drifting or when the throttle is closed and no steam is passing to the chamber 1l of the steam chest, both valves 30 and 311 will` be opened and both valves 38 and 381 closed by the pressure ot' oil Yfrom the lubricator and oil will be fed through both pipes` 4i and 44:1.

In connection with the operation ot' the device it will be understoodthat the pressure of the steam from the chamber 11 is much. higher than the pressure under which the oil is entering from the lubrica-tor. The` oil will never be exposed to extreme high temperature as the steam coming in contact with the oil'wlll always be expanded and giving up` its heat while carrying the oil. The operation also is such that the oil is being blown from high pressure to low pressure thereby tending to atomize the oil and distribute it as a tine spray or mist, all ot which is advantageous in the present connection.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In conibination, a reciprocating member, a bearing therefor, and means for lubricating the joint between said member and bearing when the reciprocating member is occupying a determinate position with relation to the bearing to form said joint, said n'ieans comprising a chamber which contains fluid under pressure, an oil supply, communications, one with an outlet into said joint and the other controlled by the reciprocating member to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom as said member is reciprocated, and means whereby oil from the oil supply will bc supplied to and pocketcd within said other oit' the communications when it is closed from the pressure chamber during one phase of the rcciprocation oit said member and whereby also oil thus pocketed within said other oil the communica-tions will be ejected therefrom by the fiuid pressure within the pressure chamber through said one of the communications iirst mentioned into said joint tor lubricatingthe joint when said member is occupying its determinate position as aforesaid to form said joint and is permitting also open con'imunication between said other of the conmmnications and the pressure chamber.

2. In con'ibination, a reciprocating member, a bearing therefor, and means for lubricating the jointbetween said member and bearing when the reciprocating member is occupying a determinate position with relation to the bearing to i'orm said joint', said means con'iprising a chamber which contains luid under pressure, an oil supply, communications, one with an outlet into said joint and the other controlled by the reciprocating member to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom as said member is recil'nfocatcd, means controlled by the pressure in said pressure chamber permitting oi the teed of oil int-o said other ot the communications to bccome pockcted therein when said other of the communications is closed 'from the pressure chamber and pern'iitting also ot' the ejection ot oil therefrom by the Huid pressure with the pressure chamber through saidone of the communications first mentioned into said joint for lubricating the joint when the reciprocating member is occupying its determinato position as aforesaid to form said joint and is permitting also open communication between said other of the communications and the pressure chamber.

3. In combination, a reriprorati member, a bearingv therefor, and means for lubrieating the joint between said member and bearingr when the rccipro'ating member is occupying a determinate position with rela- 5 tion to the bearing' to form said joint, said means comprising a chamber which contains fluid under pressure, an oil supply, communications` one with an outlet into said joint and the other controlled by the reciprocating,Y member to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom as said member is reciprocated, means whereby oil from the oil supply will be supplied to and pockcted within said other ofthe communications when it is closed from the pressure chamber during one phaseA of the reciprocation of said, member and whereby also oil thus pocketcd within said other of the communications will be ejected therefrom by the fluid pressure within the pressure chamber through said one of the 4communic/ations iirst mentioned into said joint for lubricatingr the joint when said member is occupying its detcrn'iinate position as aforesaid to form said joint and is permitting! also open communication between said other of the communications and the pressure chamber, vand means whereby said one of the communications first mentioned will be closed from said other of the communications during the poclreting of oil within said other of the communications as aforesaid.

4. In combination, a reciprocating member, a bearing therefor, and means for lubricating the joint between said member and bearingr when the reciprocating member is occupying a determinate position with relation to the bearing to form said joint, said means comprising a chamber which contains fluid under pressure, an oil supply, communications. one with an outlet into said joint and the other controlled by the reciprocating member to have intern'iittent open communilcation with said pressurcchamber and closure therefrom as said member is reciprocated, means controlled by the pressure in said pressure chamber pern'iittime,r of the feed of oil into said other of the communications to become pocketed therein when said other of the communications is closed from the pressure chamber and permitting' also of the ejection of oil therefrom by the Huid pressure within the pressure chamber through said one of the communications first mentioned into said joint for lubricating: the jointwhen the reciprocating member is occupying its determinate position as aforesaid to form said joint and is permittingr also open communication between said other of the communications and the pressure cham- (l fi ber, and means controlled by the fluid pressure withinthe pressure chamber whereby said one of the communications first ment tioned will be closed from said other of the communications during the pocketing of oil within said other of the communications as aforesaid.

5. In combination with a piston valve having separate spaced heads, a casing,rr in which the valve is reciproeable, said casing having,r on the interior thereof separate spaced bearings for said heads of the valve and between said heads a chamber in which steam is received under pressure, of means for lubrieating the respective heads of the valve and their respective bearings comprising an oil feed, primary and secondary branch communications therefrom, said primary communi cations having outlet respectively into the joints between said heads of the piston valve and their respective bearings, said secondary branch communications extending respectively to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber with closure therefrom when said valve is occupying different determinate positions during its reciprocation, and means for controllingV the passage of oil from said feed whereby oil will bc admitted to and pocketed within one of said secondary communications when said communication is closed fromthe pressure chamber, and at the same time oil admitted to and pocketcd in the other of said secondary communications then open to the pressure chamber will be ejected therefrom by pressure of fluid in said chamber and through the adjacent primary communication into the joint into which said communication has outlet.

6. In combination with a piston valve having separate spaced heads, a casing in which the valve is reciprocable, said casing having on the interior thereof separate spaced bearings for said heads of the valve and between said heads a chamber in which steam is rcceived under pressure. of means for lubricating the respective heads ofthe. valve and their respective bearings comprising an oil feed, primary and secomlary branch communications therefrom, said primary communica tions having outlet respectively into thel joints between said heads of the piston valve and their respective bearings, said secondary branch communications extending respectively to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure then from when said valve is occupying' different determinate positions durinir its reciprocati'on. means for controlling the jiassage of oil from said feed whereby oil will be admitted to and poclteted within one of said secondary communications when said connection is closed from the pressure chamber, and at the same time oil admitted to and poclceted in the other of said secondary communications then open to thel pressure chamber will be ejected therefrom by pressure of fiuid in said chamber and through the adjacent primary communication into the joint into which said communication has outlet, and means for preventing the passage of oil directly from the feed into said primary communications.

7. In combination with a piston valve having separate spaced heads, a casing injwhich 'the valve is reciprocable, said casing having on the interior thereof separate spaced bearings for said heads of the valve and between said heads a chamber in which steam is rcceived under pressure, of means for lubricating the respective heads of the valve and their respective bearings comprising an oil feed, primary and secondary branch communications therefrom, said primary communications having outlet respectively into the joints between said heads of the piston valve and their respective bearings, said seconda-ryl branch communications extending .respectively to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom when said valve is occupyingr different determinate positions during its reciprocation, a two-way valvular mechanism for controlling the passage of oil to said secondary branch communications functioning whereby the passage of oil from the feed will be cut off from the one of said secondary cc-nmiunications open to the pressure chamber, and will pass into the other of said secondary communications closed from the pressure chamber.

8. In combination with a piston valve having separate spaced heads, a casing in which the valve is reciprocable, said casing having on the interior thereof separate spaced bearings for said heads of the valve and between said heads a chamber in which steam is received under pressure, of means foil lubricating the respective heads of the valve and their respective bearings comprising an oil feed, primary and secondary branch communications therefrom` said primary communications having outlet respectively into the joints between said heads of the piston valve and their respective bearings, said secondary branch communications extending respectively to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom when said valve is occupying different determinate positions during its reciprocation, a valvular mechanism for controlling the passage of oil to said secondary communications comprising a valve casing and separate inwardly closing valves with stems meeting inside said casing.

9. In combination with a piston valve having separate spaced heads, a casing in which the valve is reciprocable, said casing having on the interior thereof separate spaced bearings for said heads of the valve and between said heads a chamber in which steam'is rcceived under pressure, of means for lubricating the respective heads of the valve and their respective bearings comprising an oil feed, primary and secondary branch communications therefrom, said primary communications having outlet respectively into the joints between said heads of the piston valve and their respective bearings, said secondary branch communications extending respectively t-o have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber and closure therefrom when said valve is occupying different determinate positions during its reciprocation, a valvular mechanism for controlling the passage of oil tos-aid secondary communications comprising a. valve casing and separate inwardly closing valves with stems meeting inside said using, and other stems carried by said respective valves for controlling the passages through said respective primary communications.

l0. In combination, a cylinder and piston, a piston valve with a casing in which the valve is reciprocable, said valve havingl 'separate spaced heads and the casing of the valve :forming within it a pressure chamber between tlie heads of the valve with passages controlled by said heads leading respectively from the pressure chamber to the opposite ends of the cylinder, bearings for the heads of the piston valve and with which bearings said heads co-operate to form oints with annular passages adjacent thereto communicating respectively with said passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder when the heads of the piston valve are positioned for admitting pressure thereto from the pressure chamber, and means for lubricating said joints between the piston heads and their respective bearings and for lubricating also said cylinder and piston comprising an oil supply, primary and secondary branch communications therefrom, said prima-ry communications having outlets respectively into said joints and annular passages adjacent thereto, said secondary branch communications extending respectively to have interinittelit open communication with said pressure chamber with closure therefrom when said valve is occupying different determinate positions during its reciprocation, and means for coiitrolling the passage of oil from said feed whereby oil will be admitted to and pocketed within one of said secondary coinniunications when said communication is closed from the pressure chamber and at the same time oil adn'iitted to and pocketed within the other of said secondary communications then open to the pressure chamber will be ejected thcrefrom by pressure of fluid in said chamber and through the adjacent primary connection into the joint into which said comnnmication has outlet and annular passage adjacent thereto then communicating with the adjacent end of the cylinder.

1l. In combination, a cylinder and piston, a piston valve with a casing in which the valve is reciprocable, said valve having separate spaced heads and the casing of the valve llh veating respectively with said passages leadinggr to the opposite ends of the cylinder when the heads ot' the piston valve are positioned for admitting pressure thereto from the pressure chamber, and means for lubrieating said joints between the piston heads and their respective bearings and for lubricating also said cylinder and piston comprising an oil supply, primary and secondary brauch communications.therefrom, said primary communications having outlets respectively into said joints yand annular passages adjacent thereto, said secondary branch communications extending respectively to have intermittent open communication with said pressure chamber with closure therefrom when said valve is occupying different determinate positions during its reciprocat'ion. and means for controlling the passage ot' oil from said feed whereby oil will be admitted to and pocketed within one ot' said second ary communications when said communication is closed from the pressure chamber and at the same time oil admitted to and pocketed within the other of said secondary communications then open to the pressure chamber will be ejected therefrom by pressure of Huid iii said chamber and through the adjacent primary connection into the joint into which Said communication has outlet and annular passage adjacent thereto then communicating with the adjacent end ol the cylinder7 and means for preventing the passage of oil directly from the oil supply into said primary communications.

ARTHUR L. BRIDGHAM. 

